Leam Richardson: Desire key to Wigan victory

Wigan assistant manager Leam Richardson admitted “work ethic and desire” underpinned the 5-1 demolition of MK Dons that saw them climb back up to second place in Sky Bet League One.

Will Grigg scored the fourth hat-trick of his career – and his second for Wigan – to take his tally for the season to 23 with seven games still to go.

Nick Powell, this week nominated for the League One player of the year award, chipped in with a fine header after Ethan Ebanks-Landell had put through his own goal, with Callum Brittain replying for the visitors.

And despite the quality oozing through the Wigan side at present, Richardson – put up for media duties by boss Paul Cook – was keen to highlight the way the side earned the right to play.

“It’s a great scoreline, but that doesn’t happen without the work ethic and desire to get the goals,” he said.

“When you’ve got someone like Will up front, you know he’ll finish them off if you create that many chances.

“You don’t really have to speak about Nick’s qualities.

“What people don’t often speak about is his hard work on the pitch, and the amount of ground he covers.

“Having him on the pitch is great for everybody, and Will would be the first to admit that.”

If boss Cook had got his way, Grigg wouldn’t even have been on the pitch to complete his hat-trick in the final quarter.

Having bagged his second and Wigan’s fourth goal with 16 minutes to go, Cook had James Vaughan primed and ready to come on as a substitute at the next break in play.

Fortunately for Grigg, the ball remained in play for just enough time to complete his hat-trick, on 76 minutes, before the change occurred.

“Yes, we were about to bring Will off before he scored the third goal,” Richardson smiled.

“We were having a discussion with Vaughany about whether he should stay on, because he was dying to get his hat-trick – and thankfully he did.”

For MK Dons boss Dan Micciche, it was a huge step back after his struggling side had pushed league leaders Blackburn all the way last weekend.

“We felt all right at half-time, only 2-1 down against a team at the top of the league, having just missed two good chances,” he said.

“We came out for the second half feeling buoyant, knowing the next 20 minutes would be key, and we created another two good chances.

“I’ve gone in there straight after the game and we haven’t even discussed the game.

“I’ve just told them to move on – that’s all we can do.

“It’s the first time that kind of thing has happened to us.

“In the main we’ve defended very well since I’ve been here, and we pride ourselves on that.

“I just thought the difference was in both boxes – and I can’t really say much more than that.”